Rant from relative Noob about Civ

[Maurya Militia]

I have Civ 4 and all the expansions. I have repeatedly tried to forge a good empire with the Germans. I cannot for the life of me develop a good military quickly, I have been defeated around 900 AD (usually because the game gets me so discouraged and it seemed hopeless). The AI always seems to have more military units than I to conquer my cities, defend theirs, and then still have more to back themselves up. My 2 main cities had populations of 12 and 9 and yet I can't create a good military and moving them around the map is a pain. I really like History, and the concept of building a civilization, but I just can't have FUN with this game. It seems to be a too complicated, impersonal game of chess to ever be enjoyed. What makes me angry is games nowadays are so complicated... I had a lot of fun with Rome Total War. I actually beat that game. But Civ is stressful, and to think I spent all that money on it. Sorry to sound too . .. .. .. .. .y, but I have to ask for a remedy for this, and blow off some steam.

Any tips or co-miseration?

 

[BrantleyL1]

I have Civ 4 and all the expansions. I have repeatedly tried to forge a good empire with the Germans. I cannot for the life of me develop a good military quickly, I have been defeated around 900 AD

Any tips or co-miseration?

Without many details, it is hard to determine what you need to change. There are a TON of folks here who will pick apart your save game and make suggestions.

So, I suggest posting your save game and see what others think.

 

[Empiremaker]

If you want help on your playing, post some saves and some veterans will give you good advice. Civ does take some getting used to, but then you have a game where the AI declares, takes a couple of cities, and you push back and win. For a change, try some of the scenarios.

EDIT: X-post

 

[Refar]

What difficultie setting are you playing on ? Maybe you could try adjusting it a bit down ? You could also try to make a team game, so you will have a ai helping you (Set a ai to have be at same eam with you).

Other than this - maybe look through the strategy discussion forum - with any luck you will catch up some strategies and improve yor play,

 

[AnaNg]

I have Civ 4 and all the expansions. I have repeatedly tried to forge a good empire with the Germans. I cannot for the life of me develop a good military quickly, I have been defeated around 900 AD (usually because the game gets me so discouraged and it seemed hopeless).

Fortunately a military win is only one of many ways to win the game, maybe start by exploring some of those. I struggle with the military victories as well.

The AI always seems to have more military units than I to conquer my cities, defend theirs, and then still have more to back themselves up. My 2 main cities had populations of 12 and 9 and yet I can't create a good military

If you're trying to rapidly build a military early game and you have cities that big you haven't learned the whip yet. Use slavery, use it often but use it wisely.

 

[Maurya Militia]

I'm playing on Noble. I feel like a loser if I play on Warlord. My map was continents, and I usually run into a problem of expansion. I think continents is the most realistic. I research techs one at a time as opposed to bee-lining or having any kind of slingshot strategy. If a Civ right next to me threatens me for a tech, I turn them down. I also have tried espionage, but my spies always get caught (because they suck.) thus worsening my trade relations.

 

[Maurya Militia]

My saved games Jordan Germans 820 AD and 1070 AD have been uploaded in uploads, I think.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/63015/Jordan_AD-1070.CivBeyondSwordSave

 

[AnaNg]

I'm playing on Noble. I feel like a loser if I play on Warlord. My map was continents, and I usually run into a problem of expansion. I think continents is the most realistic. I research techs one at a time as opposed to bee-lining or having any kind of slingshot strategy. If a Civ right next to me threatens me for a tech, I turn them down. I also have tried espionage, but my spies always get caught (because they suck.) thus worsening my trade relations.

I hope you mean that you have a future strategy for a technology path but don't just click on the end result, you choose them one at a time. If you just research what you need when you need it without a strategy you're setting youself up for failure.

Also, check the power charts, if someone with 2x your power (this isn't always accurate due to wonders and such but if it's 2x, they're going to crush you) then cough up the techs or what they demand. Obviously you don't want to, say, give them Chemistry when you've just finished researching it, but with that you should be able to crank out enough units to fend off the attack. (just an example)

Give the tech away to buy yourself a little time or, conversely, keep an eye on the power chart and make sure you're in the top 3 and close to the top one and you generally won't get the demands. If you give it away immediately trade it to everyone else you can since that's what the demanding AI will do with it and you want to get the traded techs for it, not the other guy.

I don't have BTS so I can't look at your save, sorry. What sort of victory condition are you pursuing? Domination? Conquest? If it's not one of those (heck even if it is one of those) you're really going to have to play the diplomacy game to some degree or another. That means helping friends with techs (situationally) and paying off aggressive/demanding civs with techs and resources (again, situationally).

 

[Nials]

My saved games Jordan Germans 820 AD and 1070 AD have been uploaded in uploads, I think.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/63015/Jordan_AD-1070.CivBeyondSwordSave

No wonder you are having a hard time with only three cities at 1070 AD. You should have more cities before you even hit the AD's.

By the looks of it, it seems like you need to focus much more on expansion during the early game. Try playing a game and attempt to avoid building too many structures and instead focus on settlers, workers and military.

An early war is also a great way to expand if you have a close neighbour. A half dozen Axemen (possibly a few more) can really tear it up if you get them out there fast enough.

Try playing a game where you go straight for 4-6 cities before Code of Laws. Then once you have Courthouses, expand further.
Don't worry about having to raise your tax slider. With smart city placement your cities will soon start paying for themselves and grabbing resources before the AI is important to success.

 

[weregamer]

Also be sure to check out the excellent library of strategy guides here under the "war academy". There are discussions of land improvements and other basic strategic issues. In particular, there is a discussion on the optimal build pattern for your first 40 turns (in short, for most civs and most games, he recommends beelining for Bronze Working so you can chop forests, and producing worker, worker, settler as your first 3 things. This is only one possible path, though, because he is ignoring things like the religion race.)

I highly recommend using the "No Technology Brokering" optional rule in the Custom Game setup screen. Having the AIs trade all the techs to each other all the time makes the game harder and deprives you of what should be a big benefit in getting a key tech first - the chance to get ahead with your friends without helping your enemies.

 

[3 EMS]

I'm playing on Noble. I feel like a loser if I play on Warlord. My map was continents, and I usually run into a problem of expansion. I think continents is the most realistic. I research techs one at a time as opposed to bee-lining or having any kind of slingshot strategy. If a Civ right next to me threatens me for a tech, I turn them down. I also have tried espionage, but my spies always get caught (because they suck.) thus worsening my trade relations.

You might feel like a loser on Warlord but, from what you said, you are definately a loser on Noble. You're looking at this wrong. Don't play lower levels to win. Play them to learn the game mechanics. The only difference between Noble and Warlords is you will get bonuses that will help you as you master the game. Read the "War Academy" as suggested by weregamer. Read some Games of the Month. Learn something then go try it out in a game. Before you know it you will be beating Noble and returning to these forums to get ideas to beat Prince.

When I got BtS I dropped to the second from bottom level. Just to see what the expansion contained. And I have been playing for 7-8 years now. Don't be discouraged. CIV is more intricate than most games and will take longer to learn.

Good luck to ya. As you start to master the game you will become addicted.

 

[Vladesch]

Best way to learn how to hone your skills is to follow some of the succession games

http://forums.civfanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=168

 

[Diamondeye]

I recommend you give the game some time and play the tutorial. Also, it would be nice if anyone could link for Sullla's Guide....

 

[Tee Kay]

I was going to start a thread about the same thing. I mean it's surprising and annoying how AIs are able to build a HUGE army in such a short time and maintain it AND still manage to keep their economy and tech up at the same time. It's something that I still don't understand.

 

[Nials]

I was going to start a thread about the same thing. I mean it's surprising and annoying how AIs are able to build a HUGE army in such a short time and maintain it AND still manage to keep their economy and tech up at the same time. It's something that I still don't understand.

The AI's get huge bonuses such as heavy discounts when upgrading their units.

 

[Spiceweasel]

To echo what's been said before, don't feel bad about dropping the difficulty level down a notch or two. Civ is a huge, complex game, and it's impossible to understand all of the mechanics all at once. It takes many games to learn them.

Besides, we play games to have fun. If you're not having fun, then what's the point?

 

[Tee Kay]

The AI's get huge bonuses such as heavy discounts when upgrading their units.

Um, I understand that, but this is on noble!

 

[Gamesmaster]

I recommend you give the game some time and play the tutorial. Also, it would be nice if anyone could link for Sullla's Guide....

Sullla's walkthrough is linked in the War Academy

It is a very well written and incredibly helpful document.

OK, im not really that lazy, Sulla's walkthrough can be found here

 

[Swedishguy]

A cheating AI ain't fun. Why can't a smart AI be done without cheating? It's so discouraging that I loose even though I play better.

It's a great game, don't give it up.

 

[777]

Just for general playing style. My notes. I've seen that just with little micro management you can manage your empire totaly different way than just let AI to decide working tiles. Don't try to enlarge your city if you try to build. So move working tiles where are lots of hammers. Your city don't grow but you quickly get units and buy more time. When your satisfied let your wokrers go to scavenge some food.

Allways think what is most important thing to do. At very beginning of a game you can take huge steps just work right tiles.

I'm talking about experience. I allways thought that AI is impossible and it has allways more troops and cities than I. But I discovered micro management and not to do two things at one time, just focus on one. Of course different situations needs variation, but I'll think you got the point

And you are right, this game is damn complicated. There are millions of things to watch out. But remember this is turn based game, feel free to use one day just for two turns